In this fascinating new collection, an all-star team of researchers explores lucid dreaming not only as consciousness during sleep but also as a powerful ability cultivated by artists, scientists, and shamans alike to achieve a variety of purposes and outcomes in the dream. The first set of its kind, Lucid Dreaming: New Perspectives on Consciousness in Sleep provides a comprehensive showcase of the theories, research, and direct experience that serve to illuminate how certain people can maintain conscious awareness while dreaming. The text is organized into two sections, covering science, psychology, and education; and religious traditions, creativity, and culture. Contributors to this two-volume work include top dream experts across the globe—scholars sharing knowledge gained from deep personal explorations and cutting-edge scientific investigations. Topics covered include the neuroscience of lucid dreaming, clinical uses of lucid dreaming in treating trauma, the secret history of lucid dreaming in English philosophy, and spiritual practices of lucid dreaming in Islam, Buddhism, and shamanic traditions. The work also addresses lucid dreaming in movies including The Matrix and literature such as the fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien and explains how modern video gaming enhances lucidity. This set serves as an ideal text and reference work for school libraries and academic courses in anthropology, psychology, religious studies, and cognitive science as well as for graduate-level study in holistic education—an increasingly popular specialization.

Spiritual traditions across the world teach that within the dreaming state there resides a more serene experience of pure consciousness - one of profound joy. Lucid Surrender, this is our original soul nature.

On average, we spend around six years of our lives dreaming. Yet, astonishingly, few of us understand the purpose of dreams and even fewer recognise what our dreaming mind can tell us about ourselves and our world. Melinda Powell, psychotherapist and co-founder of the Dream Research Institute UK, reveals how better understanding our dreams can improve our waking lives. As well as examining the importance of sleep and dreams, The Hidden Lives of Dreams explores the role of light, colour, landscapes, space, healing presence and lucidity in dreams, dispels common misconceptions and addresses our fears of nightmares. Powell shows how to tap into our dreams as a source of guidance and inspiration to enhance our wellbeing and to discover a healthier, more balanced approach to life. 'Exploring the depths of dreaming with an experienced guide like Melinda Powell will bring you closer to your heart, your purpose and your truest self. Highly recommended.' Robert Waggoner

Meditation can be so much more than 20 minutes of tranquility a day. “With some initial practice,” shares Andrew Holecek, “you’ll bring a mind that is more present, open, sensitive, kind, and aware into every facet of life. Wherever you go, your wondrous mind will go with you.” Mindfulness is everywhere—now widely considered an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, much like exercise, diet, and good sleep. Yet many of us who practice mindfulness wonder: Now what? If you’ve sensed the potential for something much deeper and more impactful than temporary stress reduction and calm in the stillness of the present moment, expert teacher Andrew Holecek offers an exciting, inviting guide for what is possible in the vast, transformative world of meditation beyond mindfulness. With I’m Mindful, Now What?, Holecek reveals how the form of mindfulness many of us know is merely one thread in a time-honored and much richer tapestry of contemplative practice. Here he presents an encompassing survey of the many dimensions of meditation—including paths for opening your heart, nurturing compassion, connecting with your body, expanding your dreaming life, and investigating the fundamental nature of reality. In accessible language geared for both first-timers and the experienced, Holecek shares insights and tools to help you develop your practice, stretch your limits while navigating the pitfalls, use “meditation snacks” to open new directions, and more.

This two-volume set examines dreams and dreaming from a variety of angles—biological, psychological, and sociocultural—in order to provide readers with a holistic introduction to this fascinating subject. Whether good or bad and whether we remember them or not, each night every one of us dreams. But what biological or psychological function do dreams serve? What do these vivid images and strange storylines mean? How have psychologists, religions, and society at large interpreted dreams, and how can a closer examination of our dreams provide useful insights? Dreams: Understanding Biology, Psychology, and Culture presents a holistic view of dreams and the dreaming experience that answers these and many other questions. Divided thematically, this two-volume book examines the complex and often misunderstood subject of dreaming through a variety of lenses. This collection is written by a large and diverse team of experts and edited by leading members of the International Association for the Study of Dreams (IASD) but remains an approachable and accessible introduction to this captivating topic for all readers.

Henry James' 'Ultimate Collection' is a monumental compilation of the author's most notable works, showcasing his mastery of the novel, short story, play, travelogue, essay, autobiography, and biography. James' literary style is characterized by his intricate and psychologically rich character portrayals, his astute observations of human behavior, and his keen eye for social and moral dilemmas. This collection allows readers to delve into the varied and expansive oeuvre of one of the most celebrated American authors of the 19th century, offering a comprehensive view of his artistic evolution and thematic preoccupations. From the timeless classics like 'The Portrait of a Lady' and 'The Turn of the Screw' to his lesser-known travel writings and essays, this collection is a treasure trove for fans of James' works and students of American literature alike. Henry James's keen insights into human nature and society make this collection a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of the human experience and the art of storytelling.